Two rooms or offsite house, any thoughts?

[RMColosimo]

Hello All,

I have been running the numbers, and while I think I have thought of everything, I have time so figured I would see what the experts have to say.

My wife and I have 3 little girls. My mother likes to come with us, and now my wife has a friend who wants to come with us as well. All of that is fine, except we just went from 5 to 6 to 7 for our group size.

My wife thinks the only way to handle this size group is to go offsite, and we have done that in the past. Offsite is nice to have a private pool, and all the house amenities. However, I like staying onsite. We stayed at the Cabins(max 6) last year(2015), and it was awesome. But my wife and I stayed in the pull down bed, and would prefer some privacy. Again, in two rooms at a value resort, we will not have the privacy, but I can sell it to my wife if it makes sense.

I love the moderate and deluxe resorts, but I am wondering if we go to a Value resort and get two rooms, if I can get the price to come in line with an offsite house. Not the same price, but close enough to be a non factor in the decision is my main focus.

Some things that are a factor:
With our group, we drive since getting plane tickets for our group cheaper than what it costs to drive has not happened yet(but I am looking). My wife is a High School teacher, so we go when the prices are more expensive in the summer, so that is just a given.

We are going in 2017, I am guessing sometime in August, but really any time between June-August are our travel dates.

Here is what I have found so far(all estimates) [7 days]

Offsite:
House for ~ $1300
Tickets for the group for 7 days (with hopper) is ~ $3000.

$4300 for 7 days offsite.

Onsite:
Two rooms with tickets(w/hopper) at an all star resort is ~ $ 2800 / room

$5600 for onsite for 7 days.

I did this all based on going in Aug 2016, not 2017 when we will be going.

But $1300 difference, seems like something that I could overcome with either free dining(not sure how to plan for that), or a pin code(which my wife seems to get all the time, me not so much).

Anyway, I know some of you out there, are awesome with coming up with other plans and might be thinking of stuff I have not thought of. I have not spent a ton of time looking at DVC points, but those numbers did not seem any better, but of course the resorts are higher quality.

Any thoughts? I am open to any thoughts so feel free to suggest anything.

We have been to Disney twice in the last 4 years, we go about every other year and have done both offsite and onsite. I am open to both, but want to make sure I do the needed research on options and don't short change any options that are out there.

 

[aaarcher86]

FD wouldn't happen during the summer. I think the earliest dates are very late August, if not September at times. There's usually a room discount, but it's not guaranteed. DVC points wouldn't be cheaper than 2 value rooms, but might afford you some nicer accommodations. You could drop the hopper and save a bit.

Don't forget to add in your parking charges if you stay offsite. I think it's $20 for the day now.

I'd also consider that with your wife's friend and the mother that if they want to go back to the house, everyone would need some kind of plan since I'm assuming there'd only be one vehicle? On site, people can kind of come and go as they please.

 

[RMColosimo]

FD wouldn't happen during the summer. I think the earliest dates are very late August, if not September at times. There's usually a room discount, but it's not guaranteed. DVC points wouldn't be cheaper than 2 value rooms, but might afford you some nicer accommodations. You could drop the hopper and save a bit.

Don't forget to add in your parking charges if you stay offsite. I think it's $20 for the day now.

I'd also consider that with your wife's friend and the mother that if they want to go back to the house, everyone would need some kind of plan since I'm assuming there'd only be one vehicle? On site, people can kind of come and go as they please.

Great points. Parking was 20/day when we were offsite the last time. The park hopper I think is more a must if we are onsite, as we are more likely to go to multiple parks when we can just use Disney transportation to get back to our hotel regardless of what park we are in. I know last year, we went back to the Cabin, and then actually drove to one of the parks so we could control getting back to the cabin. The buses were slow for us, and I think that was mostly because we had 2 buses, the one to the resort, and then the one in the resort. But it did not sit well with my wife when we had to wait for X minutes to get out of a park, get to the resort, and wait again for the bus.

When is Free Dining usually offered? I'll have to go and look for that, as I think Free Dining could easily swing the balance to onsite. But if it is when we can't go, then I will take that off as a possibility.

And you are correct, only one car. So that is a factor as well, that I had not talked about. Thanks!

 

[mom2grace]

You could consider renting a 2 bedroom DVC.

 

[RMColosimo]

I am going to run the numbers on the DVC suites as well. I am guessing Bay Lake tower might be the best for us. But I will check them all.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd do onsite with the variety of people, especially during the summer. Some might want to leave the parks early for a nap or swim, others might want to stay...

The last time we went, we had 5 kids and 4 adults, and we ended up slitting up often!

 

[RMColosimo]

I'd do onsite with the variety of people, especially during the summer. Some might want to leave the parks early for a nap or swim, others might want to stay...

The last time we went, we had 5 kids and 4 adults, and we ended up slitting up often!

Did you do two rooms? Which resort did you stay in?

I guess that it a good follow-up question. Which resorts are good to have 2 rooms at in? Not asking for attached rooms, but close enough that it is a good experience.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Hello All,

I have been running the numbers, and while I think I have thought of everything, I have time so figured I would see what the experts have to say.

My wife and I have 3 little girls. My mother likes to come with us, and now my wife has a friend who wants to come with us as well. All of that is fine, except we just went from 5 to 6 to 7 for our group size.

My wife thinks the only way to handle this size group is to go offsite, and we have done that in the past. Offsite is nice to have a private pool, and all the house amenities. However, I like staying onsite. We stayed at the Cabins(max 6) last year(2015), and it was awesome. But my wife and I stayed in the pull down bed, and would prefer some privacy. Again, in two rooms at a value resort, we will not have the privacy, but I can sell it to my wife if it makes sense.

I love the moderate and deluxe resorts, but I am wondering if we go to a Value resort and get two rooms, if I can get the price to come in line with an offsite house. Not the same price, but close enough to be a non factor in the decision is my main focus.

Some things that are a factor:
With our group, we drive since getting plane tickets for our group cheaper than what it costs to drive has not happened yet(but I am looking). My wife is a High School teacher, so we go when the prices are more expensive in the summer, so that is just a given.

We are going in 2017, I am guessing sometime in August, but really any time between June-August are our travel dates.

Here is what I have found so far(all estimates) [7 days]

Offsite:
House for ~ $1300
Tickets for the group for 7 days (with hopper) is ~ $3000.

$4300 for 7 days offsite.

Onsite:
Two rooms with tickets(w/hopper) at an all star resort is ~ $ 2800 / room

$5600 for onsite for 7 days.

I did this all based on going in Aug 2016, not 2017 when we will be going.

But $1300 difference, seems like something that I could overcome with either free dining(not sure how to plan for that), or a pin code(which my wife seems to get all the time, me not so much).

Anyway, I know some of you out there, are awesome with coming up with other plans and might be thinking of stuff I have not thought of. I have not spent a ton of time looking at DVC points, but those numbers did not seem any better, but of course the resorts are higher quality.

Any thoughts? I am open to any thoughts so feel free to suggest anything.

We have been to Disney twice in the last 4 years, we go about every other year and have done both offsite and onsite. I am open to both, but want to make sure I do the needed research on options and don't short change any options that are out there.

I would totally be offsite - it sounds like you need 3 bedrooms minimum...1 for you and your wife, one for your kids (with or without grandmom), and one for your wife's friend (who could also share with grandmom if there are 2 beds). You also will want 2-3 bathrooms and you will want to be in the same house/condo as your kids. This would be a no-brainer for me (who also has 7 when I bring my mom and who always books 3 bedrooms for this)...

 

[aaarcher86]

Great points. Parking was 20/day when we were offsite the last time. The park hopper I think is more a must if we are onsite, as we are more likely to go to multiple parks when we can just use Disney transportation to get back to our hotel regardless of what park we are in. I know last year, we went back to the Cabin, and then actually drove to one of the parks so we could control getting back to the cabin. The buses were slow for us, and I think that was mostly because we had 2 buses, the one to the resort, and then the one in the resort. But it did not sit well with my wife when we had to wait for X minutes to get out of a park, get to the resort, and wait again for the bus.

When is Free Dining usually offered? I'll have to go and look for that, as I think Free Dining could easily swing the balance to onsite. But if it is when we can't go, then I will take that off as a possibility.

And you are correct, only one car. So that is a factor as well, that I had not talked about. Thanks!

FD is offered during slower times. Dates from last year:

Aug. 28-Oct. 2, 2015
Oct. 25-31, 2015
Nov. 8-19, 2015
Dec. 15-21, 2015

I personally detest Disney bussing, so we drive around too.

 

[RMColosimo]

I would totally be offsite - it sounds like you need 3 bedrooms minimum...1 for you and your wife, one for your kids (with or without grandmom), and one for your wife's friend (who could also share with grandmom if there are 2 beds). You also will want 2-3 bathrooms and you will want to be in the same house/condo as your kids. This would be a no-brainer for me (who also has 7 when I bring my mom and who always books 3 bedrooms for this)...

Yeah, I think we are going to book offsite, but want to make sure I am covering all my bases. The cooking ability, extra privacy, and pool are the big sells. But man, those tickets are expensive when buying them without a package and always make me look at other options. But with over 1k in savings, we could easily look at going to Universal or some other place for a day or two.

 

[robinb]

Here is an historical list of the WDW resort discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2016 . "Free dining" used to start in mid-August but now starts later in August or even September.

If you can swing it, I would recommend staying onsite because you're a mixed group unless you are completely certain that the other 2 adults will want to tour exactly the same as you. Two value resort rooms would be a little odd as one of your kids will have to be in grandma/friend's room since the All Stars only sleeps 4. I think you end up with the same problem with a 2BR DVC villa. I would look into perhaps renting 2 DVC studios that sleep 5. I don't know which reports have beds for 5 they are right off the top of my head, but I do know that the Villas at Wilderness Lodge is one of them. An early August week is 127 points or about $1600 each for each room (at about $13 per point).

 

[RMColosimo]

Here is an historical list of the WDW resort discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2016 . "Free dining" used to start in mid-August but now starts later in August or even September.

If you can swing it, I would recommend staying onsite because you're a mixed group unless you are completely certain that the other 2 adults will want to tour exactly the same as you. Two value resort rooms would be a little odd as one of your kids will have to be in grandma/friend's room since the All Stars only sleeps 4. I think you end up with the same problem with a 2BR DVC villa. I would look into perhaps renting 2 DVC studios that sleep 5. I don't know which reports have beds for 5 they are right off the top of my head, but I do know that the Villas at Wilderness Lodge is one of them. An early August week is 127 points or about $1600 each for each room (at about $13 per point).

Thanks! Great information. I didn't even think of wilderness lodge, which is one of the resorts we walked through and really enjoyed the looks of. I know they are remodeling it currently, but that might not be an issue by 2017.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Here is an historical list of the WDW resort discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2016 . "Free dining" used to start in mid-August but now starts later in August or even September.

If you can swing it, I would recommend staying onsite because you're a mixed group unless you are completely certain that the other 2 adults will want to tour exactly the same as you. Two value resort rooms would be a little odd as one of your kids will have to be in grandma/friend's room since the All Stars only sleeps 4. I think you end up with the same problem with a 2BR DVC villa. I would look into perhaps renting 2 DVC studios that sleep 5. I don't know which reports have beds for 5 they are right off the top of my head, but I do know that the Villas at Wilderness Lodge is one of them. An early August week is 127 points or about $1600 each for each room (at about $13 per point).

A lot of offsite resorts run shuttles...on days when we split up (or plan on not being together), my mom just buys the shuttle for the day and we keep the car. Uber is now also a really great resource to handle this split...it's probably worth savings of $1k-$2k (I mean, heck, I always think of $2k savings as another possible vacation for the year to a non-Disney site...

 

[Tara1988]

If you can find an off-site house in a vacation community that has shuttles (there are plenty) you wouldn't have to worry about only having 1 vehicle. Also, it usually isn't a ridiculous cost to get a cab/Uber. I would choose off site in your situation. I personally wouldn't want to cram my friend in a hotel room with my husband's mom no matter how nice the room/resort is and certainly not at an all star. I also prefer not to share a room with my husband and another adult, that's just awkward. Everyone will be grateful for the space to stretch out in a house.

 

[squirrel]

Unless you can get Free Dining it would be way cheaper to stay offsite.

 

[RMColosimo]

I actually just had a thought. We stayed in the Cabin last year for our stay, and while we can't stay there with 7, we could rent an RV and stay in the campground. I am going to follow-up on that path and see what I can find.

Thanks all!

 

[ASMwishes]

We are a family of 7 and usually rent DVC points. It save so much money. You can get a 2 bedroom Villa in a Deluxe resort. they have multiple full bathrooms and a full kitchen. They sleep 8-9 depending on which resort you stay in. I don't think I can post links but if you goggle DVC rentals. I also think there is a thread or link somewhere here on Disboards.

 

[robinb]

I actually just had a thought. We stayed in the Cabin last year for our stay, and while we can't stay there with 7, we could rent an RV and stay in the campground. I am going to follow-up on that path and see what I can find.

Thanks all!

That's a great idea! If you go over to the Camping board they can point you in the right place to rent an RV. I believe they can even be delivered to the campground and be ready for you when you arrive.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

We've done it all and have found that with a group of mixed ages on site is most convenient. We got a great deal on ebay in August (booked mid-june) for a 4 bedroom suite @ Wyndham bonnet creek, which offers a paid shuttle service, if you feel like you really need more bedrooms.

As someone who owns a motorhome (love camping @ the Fort) that "sleeps 8" I can't imagine 4 adults in one camper for anything more than a night. There will be little to no privacy - or room to walk around. We feel cramped with 2a3c.

In your shoes I'd probably go with 2 value rooms if you don't have 2 forms of transportation for an off site stay.

 

[quagmire0]

People make good points re: onsite because of the group being mixed. Offsite you will likely take one car to the parks. Unfortunately, you're likely going to pay for that convenience. Offsite would be the more comfortable (space-wise) and cheaper option. If you think that your Mom and friend would be more 'go with the flow' kind of people (or could at least be content finding a shady spot to hang out while you guys do crazy park stuff), the I'd go with the offsite. You don't even need a house, you can find plenty of 3br condos and townhomes at Windsor Hills, for instance for cheaper than $1000.